On a rare weekday day off, I made my way to Mayfair Espresso in the city for lunch. At 12:15pm, it was surprisingly calm — just myself and one other diner — a nice change of pace from the usual rush. The menu immediately caught my attention with its Asian-fusion twist. Dishes like Tom Yum spaghetti, a bulgogi beef sandwich, and okonomiyaki topped with bacon and hash browns make for a playful and intriguing lineup that’s hard to ignore.
Being a tiramisu lover, I couldn’t pass up the tiramisu iced latte ($11) — even on a cold, windy Canberra day. It’s essentially a classic iced latte elevated with a layer of cream, a dusting of chocolate, and a ladyfinger perched on top. While it doesn’t quite capture the full indulgence of a traditional tiramisu, it’s still an enjoyable and well-made coffee.
I was drawn to the udon alfredo ($23), which comes topped with chicken katsu, but the option to add unagi for an extra $3 was too tempting to pass up. With a craving for eel, I opted for the upgrade. The unagi itself was on the thinner side, but beautifully marinated with a sweet, savoury glaze that still delivered on flavour. The alfredo sauce was pleasantly light — creamy without being overly rich or gluggy — and coated the udon well. Portion-wise, it was generous and satisfying.
A side of pickled ginger accompanied the dish, though there was a little more than I would have preferred. That said, I could easily see this working just as well with the original chicken katsu for a heartier take.
The biggest drawcard for me is undoubtedly the matcha selection. I decided on the matcha dessert set ($22), which includes a matcha tiramisu, matcha mochi, and a matcha drink of your choice — either a latte or iced matcha. Given the chilly weather (and having already had an iced tiramisu latte), I opted for the hot matcha latte.
The matcha tiramisu is a standout. There’s always the risk of it being too dry, but here the sponge is perfectly soaked, striking that ideal balance between soft and structured. The matcha cream was gently sweetened, allowing the earthy matcha flavour to come through clearly. The matcha latte followed suit — not overly sweet, with a pleasant bitterness that made it feel comforting and well-rounded.
The matcha mochi, filled with matcha ice cream, was another highlight. The mochi skin was delicate and soft, complementing the creamy, slightly bitter ice cream inside. A well-executed set that showcases matcha in different forms, each done thoughtfully and with balance.
I later went back for the Tom Yum spaghetti ($24) which delivered on both aroma and flavour — just as good as it looked. Plump tiger prawns were generously scattered throughout, and the portion size was more than satisfying. The sauce struck a perfect balance between spicy and tangy, bringing that signature tom yum punch to every bite. A bold, comforting dish that truly hit the spot.
The iced drinks menu is extensive and tempting — from matcha mango to pistachio coconut, iced matcha and Thai milk tea, there’s plenty to explore beyond the classics.
Up at the front counter, a selection of baked goods is on display, including matcha cookies, matcha Basque cheesecakes, canelés and croissants. There are also a few ceremonial-grade matcha powders sourced from Japan available for purchase, which is a nice touch for those wanting to recreate the experience at home.
By 12:45pm, every indoor table was taken, so it’s worth arriving early — even on a weekday — if you’re hoping to dine in comfortably.
Check out my reel of the experience below:
Mayfair Espresso
No Name Lane, Shop 20/40 Marcus Clarke St, Canberra
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